Lani O'Grady

Lani O'Grady (October 2, 1954 – September 25, 2001), born Lanita Rose Agrati, was an American actor, and the sister of actor/musician Don Grady.

Born in Walnut Creek, California, O'Grady is best-remembered for her role as Mary Bradford, the eldest sister from "Eight is Enough", and she reprised the character in both its television movie reunions. She also played guest roles on "Harry O", "The Love Boat" and other shows. She co-starred in "Massacre at Central High", a theatrical movie, along with Kimberly Beck, who appeared as Nancy in the "Eight is Enough" pilot.

O'Grady's last acting role was as Mrs. Kramer in "Days of Our Lives", and one of her final television appearances was as a guest on "The Jim J. & Tammy Faye Show." She retired from acting to become a talent agent, as her mother Mary Grady had been.

O'Grady suffered from panic attacks dating back to the 1970s. In a 1994 interview with the "Los Angeles Times", she said the panic attacks led to her abusing prescription drugs and alcohol for more than a decade, and admitted that she frequently took Valium while filming "Eight is Enough". O'Grady checked into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 1998 to try to kick a drug habit.

O'Grady died in her home in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California at age 46. An autopsy revealed toxic levels of painkiller Vicodin and antidepressant Prozac in her bloodstream, and the Los Angeles County Coroner's office said she died of "multiple drug intoxication."

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*imdb name|id=0641110|name=Lani O'Grady